After the wedding ended, the guests who had filled the Prayer Hall of the Fool's cathedral slowly departed. Monica put away her shorthand notebook, said goodbye to Alesu, the town writer who was still rather excited, and planned to return to her inn to organize her notes in preparation for next week's travelogue.
This group wedding was different from the ones she had attended in Feynapotter and Desi Bay. Instead of an excessively solemn atmosphere that left the guests afraid even to breathe, it had something of a carnival air. Perhaps that had something to do with Yarnam City's cultural heritage.
Of course, Monica suspected the faith of the Fool also played a part. She had tried to learn about the teachings of this god she had never heard of elsewhere, and found that most resembled those of the Church of the Evernight Goddess, but with fewer formalities and greater encouragement for believers to help and communicate with one another.
It almost seems like they copied... took inspiration from the Church of the Evernight Goddess's teachings... Monica muttered inwardly. Then she remembered she was still at the cathedral entrance and glanced back nervously at the Fool's sacred emblem, composed of strange lines and half an eye. Lowering her gaze, she discovered that most of the guests had left, but a handful dressed like visitors from elsewhere remained.
Among them was the middle-aged man she had noticed at the beginning, with his Southern Continent heritage and bronze complexion.
He faced the shadows in a corner, seemingly talking to himself.
"I'll continue staying in the Southern Continent after this. If the Church needs anything from me, you can contact me at any time... You should know how to summon my messenger."
Azik slowly put on his top hat as he spoke